Best XIs of the Maurice Revello Tournament : Portugal (10/12)

A few weeks before its 47th edition, from 1st to 15th June, the Maurice Revello Tournament goes back in time. Since 1967, thousands of players have trodden the Festival’s pitches. Among them, nearly 2000 became international within the sixty-five different nations who have taken part in the competition. To travel through the Tournament’s fifty years of history, each one marked by some famous football players at their debuts, we have imagined twelve dream teams, country by country. Tenth best XI, Portugal.

Vítor Baia (1990) : His record is exceptional. The Portuguese goalkeeper is one of the rare players to have won at least 30 titles in their career. With FC Porto and Barcelona, the only two clubs he played for, Vitor Baia lifted 11 national titles, 10 national Super Cup, 7 national Cups, a Champions League, an UEFA Cup, an UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, an UEFA Super Cup and an Intercontinental Cup. 31 trophies. He was surely not expecting that when he competed in the Maurice Revello Tournament 1990 when he was only twenty years old.

Paulo Ferreira (2000) : The right-back was the runner-up of the Maurice Revello Tournament 2000. Three years later, he won the triple : Portuguese Cup, UEFA Cup and Portuguese League with FC Porto. A sensational season, followed by another one that allowed him to sign for an European giant in 2004 : Chelsea. In London, he won three Premier Leagues and a Champions League.

Fernando Couto (1990) : He is considered as one the greatest centre-backs in the Portugal history. He is the second Seleçao most-capped player behind Luis Figo and won 22 titles in his career. With FC Porto, Parma, Barcelona and Lazio, Couto always won. His participation in the Maurice Revello Tournament 1990 launched his successful career.

Ricardo Carvalho (1998) : What a career. He finished it with the Euro 2016 won with Portugal. At 38 years old, and as well as several Portuguese players, he didn't win anything with his national team so far. On the contrary, with his clubs, he almost lifted all the trophy possible : 21 titles won with FC Porto, Chelsea or Real Madrid. At the Maurice Revello Tournament 1998, Ricardo Carvalho and Portugal finished third.

Ricardo Carvalho during the Maurice Revello Tournament 1998

Bruno Alves (2001) : At 37 years old, the Portuguese is still playing at Parma and has a contract until 2020. After he won the Maurice Revello Tournament 2001, Bruno Alves had to wait five long years to clinch his first trophies with FC Porto. After that, he kept winning with Zenit Saint-Petersbourg and Fenerbahçe before to finish with the Euro 2016 with Portugal.

Bruno Alves during the Maurice Revello Tournament 2001

Fábio Coentrão (2009) : The year 2009 was not the most beautiful for Portugal in the Maurice Revello Tournament history. The Seleçao finished sixth, far awar from the expectations. But this year, a wonderkid revealed himself to the world : Fabio Coentrão. Two years after his participation in the Tournament, the left-back joined Real Madrid and won eight trophies. At 31 years old, he is currently playing for Rio Ave.

Fabio Coentrão (middle) during the Maurice Revello Tournament 2009

Raul Meireles (2003) : The winner of the Maurice Revello Tournament 2003 was also named as the second best player of the competition. Since this achievement, his figure has changed but his technique remained intact. His level allowed him to shine during his years at FC Porto, Chelsea and Fenerbahçe with 14 titles.

Danilo Pereira (2011) : Since his arrival from CS Maritimo in 2015, he is still a regular starter and essential for FC Porto. At 27 years old, he already won the Euro 2016 and the Portuguese League in 2018. He took part in the Maurice Revello Tournament 2011, where Portugal finshed fifth.

Rui Costa (1992) : Best player and top-scorer of the Maurice Revello Tournament 1992. Rui Costa was fated to do a great career, since his talent was huge. And he did it. The midfielder won the Champions League in 2003 with AC Milan and the Serie the following year. With his national team, he scored 26 goals in 94 caps between 1993 and 2004.

Rui Costa during the Maurice Revello Tournament 1992

Nuno Gomes (1996) : He became a SL Benfica legend. Between 1997 and 2000, and between 2002 and 2011, Nuno Gomes scored 166 goals in 402 games for the Lisbon club. He revealed himself during the Euro 2000 after he benefited from the Sa Pinto's injury by scoring four goals in the competition. He was the top-scorer of the Maurice Revello Tournament 1996 with five goals, including four against Angola.

Cristiano Ronaldo (2003) : Do we have to introduce him again ? Five Ballon d'Or, five Champions Leagues, six national titles, four Clubs World Cup, the Euro 2016... and so many other trophies, including the Maurice Revello Tournament he won with Portugal in 2018. He scored 601 goals in 802 games. And it is not over yet. Legend.